ON November 2ND I WAS LAID OFF OF MY TRUCK DRIVING JOB FOR THE WINTER. BASICALLY THE WAY IT WORKS IS THEY MIGHT BRING ME BACK IN THE SPRING.
SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM HERE I GUESS. I HAVE SEVERAL DILEMMAS...
1. IM A TRUCK DRIVER BY TRADE. FOR SEVERAL WEEKES PRIOR TO LAY OFF MY ANXIETY WHILE DRIVING WAS VERY BAD. SO I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD GO BACK TO DRIVING TRUCKS BECAUSE I WASN'T EXACTLY SAFE.
2. MY PAY RATE. I MAKE ABOVE AVERAGE PAY DRIVING MY TRUCK. QUITE GOOD PAY. SO IF I LEAVE TRUCK DRIVING I'LL BE TAKING A LARGE PAY CUT. LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT MYSELF.
3. NO EXPERIENCE. IF I DON'T DRIVE TRUCKS ANYMORE IM NOT REALLY EXPERIENCED IN MUCH ELSE. SO IM ALREADY HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING HIRED AT OTHER JOBS BECAUSE ALL I KNOW IS TRUCK DRIVING.
4. SCHOOL. I TOLD MYSELF IF I EVER LOST MY JOB ID GO BACK TO SCHOOL. BUT FINANCIALLY I'D PROBABLY HAVE TO WORK 2 JOBS 7 DAYS A WEEK JUST TO AFFORD IT.
5. SHOULD I WAIT. I JUST DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD WAIT FOR MY LAY OFF TO BE OVER IN THE SPRING (BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE MY JOB WILL EVEN CALL ME BACK) AND COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT FOR NOW. OR SHOULD I MOVE ON AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE? BECAUSE IF I WAIT TILL SPRING AND THEY DON'T BRING ME BACK FROM LAY OFF THEN I JUST WASTED SEVERAL MONTHS DOING NOTHING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM HERE BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT. BILLS ARE DUE.
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
2Opinion
Damn dude, what a tough situation to be in. It definitely sounds like you've got some big choices to make and not a lot of perfect options. Here are a few things I would maybe consider:
- Given your anxiety was acting up while driving, I'd say your health and safety have to come first. Maybe trucking isn't sustainable long term if it's causing that.
- Could you try getting any other jobs at the trucking company, even if it's a short term pay cut? Just to keep some income and experience coming in while you figure things out.
- Def look into unemployment asap. You've paid into that system, may as well use the benefits till you come up with a plan.
- For school, maybe look at affordable community college options nearby? Even just 1-2 classes could help you learn new skills or train for a career change.
- Consider talking to a military recruiter too. They often help pay for school and it's steady work/benefits if you serve your time. Something to think on anyway.
- Definitely don't wait around until spring if there's no for sure your trucking job is coming back. Gotta take control of your future, man!
I know it's scary but you'll figure it out. Just take it one step at a time - job search, unemployment, researching school. You got this! Feel free to message me if you need help with resumes or have any other questions.
Get something seasonal if possible then see how trucking pans out in spring
Be the first girl to share an opinion
and earn 3 more Xper points!